Leadership and Management Awards

Times Higher Education Leadership and Management Awards 2010

Aberystwyth University has been shortlisted for two awards in the Times Higher Education Leadership and Management Awards 2010.

The University’s Centre for Welsh Language Services is shortlisted in the category for Outstanding Registry Team, and Student Support is shortlisted in the Outstanding Students Services Team category.

Established in 2001 and led by Dr Mari Elin Jones, the Centre for Welsh Language Services facilitates the use of Welsh and bilingualism within the University and promotes an environment where everyone can feel at ease in Welsh or English.

As well as providing practical support for staff and students who want to improve their language skills, the Centre plays a proactive role in the development of Welsh medium study programmes. This has resulted in the Department of International Politics and the Institute of Mathematics and Physics being designated as lead providers of Welsh medium courses by the Welsh Medium Higher Education Sector Group.

Following the restructuring of its Student Support services in 2008 the University opened a one stop Student Welcome Centre in May 2009 which means that advice services are now available from a central point on the Penglais campus.

Under the directorship of Dr John Powell, Student Support has overseen a cultural shift from ‘reactive welfare provider’ to ‘proactive promoter of student success’ and has seen student drop-out rates cut by more than 25% in 2009, to stand at the lowest in Wales and amongst the best in the UK.

In September 2009 Student Support launched a new Money Doctor service for students and recently opened a new Sexual Health Clinic on campus as part of a two year pilot with the Ceredigion Health Board. It has also pioneered an innovative new qualification for staff in Supporting Students.

Professor Noel Lloyd, Vice Chancellor at Aberystwyth University said:
“I would like to congratulate both teams on making the short list in their respective categories of the Times Higher Education Leadership and Management Awards 2010. This is further recognition of the commitment of our staff to ensuring that the student experience provided at Aberystwyth is of the highest order.”

The winners of the Times Higher Education Leadership and Management Awards 2010 will be announced at a ceremony in the Grosvenor House Hotel in London on 17 June 2010.